The joint investigation team of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office, which is investigating the "alleged outside pressure on customs drug investigations" raised by Inspector Baek Hae-ryong, has reportedly asked the Supreme Prosecutors' Office to cancel Baek's secondment to the joint investigation team. Baek's secondment is scheduled to run until Jan. 14, 2026, leaving nearly a month to go.
According to The Chosun Ilbo on the 20th, when Baek joined the joint investigation team at the direction of President Lee Jae-myung, the original secondment deadline was on the 14th of last month. But the Eastern District Prosecutors' Office asked to extend Baek's secondment, and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office accepted and requested an extension from the Korean National Police Agency. Baek's secondment was also extended by two months.
However, after requesting the extension, the Eastern District Prosecutors' Office moved to seek the cancellation of the secondment just over a month later. It appears to be the result of internal conflict over the investigation.
On the 9th, the joint investigation team announced an interim finding that all the allegations raised by Baek—customs officials' involvement in drug smuggling and outside pressure—were "groundless."
Baek pushed back immediately. Baek released draft on-site verification records and applied for search and seizure warrants for customs and the prosecution. When Eastern District Chief Prosecutor Lim Eun-jeong warned, "We need to distinguish feelings and guesses from facts," Baek responded, "The prosecution and (Lim Eun-jeong) the Eastern District Chief Prosecutor do not know even the basics of field investigations."
The Eastern District Prosecutors' Office is seen as having requested the cancellation of the secondment, concluding that Baek's conduct is undermining trust in the joint investigation team. The office has also sent an official letter to the Korean National Police Agency's inspection division saying Baek is violating publicity rules and asking for action.
Regarding this, Baek wrote on social media (SNS) that "the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and the Eastern District Prosecutors' Office have been working for quite some time to gag me and tie my hands."
Baek also released screenshots of Telegram conversations exchanged with Chief Prosecutor Lim in August and October. When Lim said, "In the outside pressure investigation, the complainant, Mr. Baek, cannot be the investigating authority," Baek replied, "I think differently. Both the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and the National Office of Investigation (NOI) are subjects of investigation."
Baek argued, "The Baek Hae-ryong investigation team has already secured decisive evidence and completed the analysis," adding, "It is now time to take steps to allow the investigation." Baek continued, "The public is demanding that the druggate case be thoroughly uncovered," and said, "I will answer that call and command."